Wasim Akram retained for final Test

Experienced paceman Wasim Akram avoided the axe as Pakistan announced their 15-member squad for the third and final Test against England starting in Karachi on Thursday.

"We discussed Akram's performance at length and his poor show may be due to a lean patch and retained him because of his rich experience," chief selector Wasim Bari said.

Pakistan Cricket Board's advisory council also discussed Akram's poor form but decided to retain the speedster.

Akram, who played his 100th Test in Faisalabad, took only two wickets in the two Tests against England.

Allrounder Shahid Afrid is the only change in the team which drew against England in the Faisalabad Test.

"Naumanullah is included because he batted well in a club game at Peshawar," Bari said.

The squad: Moin Khan (capt/wkt), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Salim Elahi, Yousuf Youhanna, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Abdur Razzak, Qaiser Abbas, Faisal Iqbal, Saqlain Mushtaq, Arshad Khan, Naumanullah and Danish Kaneria.

Mail Cricket Editor